In the month of August, Rockland Fire/EMS joined the Wardens Report, which allows citizens to obtain free burn permits online. Officials met with RSU 13 administrators to update safety policies. The library has coordinated the Books on Wheels homebound delivery service. Bidding for the bridge on Thompson Meadow Road will soon go out to bid, and the Harbor Master’s office now has a Facebook page.

Keep reading for the entire Rockland City Manager’s report for the month of August.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

➢ During the past month Rockland Police Department Officers responded to 914 calls for service, investigated 33 traffic accidents and conducted 90 motor vehicle stops. As a result 86 people were either arrested of summonsed for various violations.

➢ Members of the Patrol Division continue to conduct targeted traffic enforcement details. Some of these details are grant funded while others are not and are incorporated into daily shift activity. These details include; seatbelt enforcement distracted driving, impaired driving and speed enforcement. These details are conducted and various locations throughout the city.

➢ Two officers have recently been assigned to the department's bicycle patrol unit. Officers Addison Cox and Scott Redmun were added to this unit to replace vacancies that have occurred through promotions and retirement. When staffing levels permit, the bicycle patrol units are deployed to enhance community engagement and to augment routine vehicle patrols.

➢ The department is preparing for the upcoming school year. Increased traffic details will be conducted in school zones and officers will be more visible at the schools throughout the day.

➢ Officers continue to provide security escort services to financial institutions while they service their automated teller machines.

➢ Officers continue to conduct alcohol compliance checks are various establishments in Rockland to ensure these locations are in compliance with state laws and city ordinances.

➢ Officer Cox completed Mechanics of Arrest and Control (MARC) instructor school at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Officer Cox now has the knowledge and ability to train Rockland PD officers in the latest techniques in applying physical force to arrest a resisting person. These techniques make it safer for the officer and the person being arrested.

➢ Officer Rolerson is currently in week 1 of the 18 week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

➢ When staffing levels permit, evening shift officers are patrolling Main St. on foot and checking business to make sure they are secured.

➢ Detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division continue to investigate open criminal investigations. The detectives are also busy working with other local, state and federal partners on investigations that come in to Rockland.

➢ Detectives continue to provide a variety of training programs for local businesses and health care professionals in a variety of topics including; signs of human trafficking, theft prevention, robbery response protocols and sexual assault response protocols.

➢ Administrative staff continues working with RSU 13 in creating a school resource officer policy and memorandum of understanding.

➢ Administrative staff is working with other local law enforcement leaders, health care professionals and addiction recovery resources in creating a community collaborative which mirrors the very successful model used in Lincoln County. The primary focus of this collaborative is to address the opiate addiction crisis in Knox County.

➢ Administrative staff has been meeting with RSU 13 administration, Rockland Fire & EMS, the Knox County Sheriff's Office and the Knox County Emergency Management Agency for a comprehensive re-write of a district wide school safety plan.

➢ Administrative staff is attending peer to peer recovery meetings. The purpose of this is to break down barriers between law enforcement and people struggling with addiction. The goal is for people struggling with addiction to see law enforcement as a resource to recovery and not an obstacle to it.

 

OFFICE OF THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

➢ The Silent Café has moved to Thursdays. Jesse Ellis continues to host this Silent (Sign Language) Social Hour-- a place for people to learn the basics of American Sign Language and about Deaf Culture. This is a voice-off environment; finger spelling is taught and encouraged.

➢ A variety of scenes and themes were created in Catinka Knoth's Art classes for adults and children, including classic a Maine lighthouse, Maine coastal scene, and the Rockland Breakwater. I did a walk-through of the building with Officer Bagley, who will return and meet with Library staff.

➢ We had the shades in the Quiet Room repaired, and are appreciative of Public Services staff for the drop-off and pick-up, as well as of the dead light bulbs they replaced. Barnes Custom Window Treatment did a great job, in almost no time. Huge thanks to Public Services staff for taking the (large quantity of) surplus tax forms for recycling, and for putting up the tent for the Friends' Annual Tag Sale!!

➢ The Otis technician performed inspection of the elevator, Superior Restoration Services did a thorough cleaning Children's Room, and Eastern Fire took care of a dry valve replacement, due for failure.

➢ After a less-than-10 second power outage, the AC would not power back up. Mechanical Services, responded the next morning and fixed the issue, but also discovered a leak from the fire protection pipes immediately above one of the power units. Eastern Fire patched this, however, the pipe will need to be replaced

➢ Jessie Blanchard and Katie Drago hosted a STEM Workshop--Homemade Instruments. In honor of the Libraries Rock! Summer Reading Program, they helped kids to make a pellet drum, a colorful paper plate shaker, a Popsicle stick kazoo, and a noise maker called Chicken in a Cup

➢ Wednesday Storytimes continue, with Judith Andersen, still enjoying her volunteer time with this weekly event. Visits with a therapy dog are back! After Wednesday Storytime, Naomi Howe and her therapy dog, Scottish Deer Hound, Gypsy visited, and will continue this on a weekly basis.

➢ The Wednesday Walkers Club continued; Jessie Blanchard, Katie Drago, and Patty King alternate as walk leaders. Part of the Checkout Movement & Healthy Living @ the Library series, walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to meet at the Library every Wednesday morning to go on a 30 to 45 minute walk around town. The Checkout... series is funded by grants from the Maine Public Library Fund and the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust, Friends of Rockland Public Library, and the Library (City).

➢ Also from the Checkout Movement Easy Going Yoga with Antonia Small continued though the end of July. Based on the response, and the need to limit the number of participants due to space, we are considering adding an additional yoga series.

➢ The LegoTM Club, led by LegoTM Master Jon Newton met the third Thursday of the Month.

➢ Jean Young invited kids to the Children's Room to make Lobster Hats they could wear at the Big Parade! Jean mentioned she has noticed an increased number of tutoring sessions conducted in the Children's Room, at least a couple of groups on a daily basis.

➢ Our first Blood Drive in March was such a success, we hosted another! Jessie coordinated with the Red Cross, to make this a successful event. Jessie also hosted Coloring Club, trained a new YA volunteer, held two Tech appointments for teaching smartphone functions, and created a number of non-fiction weeding lists.

➢ Ukulele lessons with Frets Halligan (part of The Arts for Kids & their Families @ the Rockland Public Library series continued through the end of July, and was a very popular program

➢ The July Catching up with the Classics Book discussed The Scarlet Pimpernel. New members are always welcome; members select the book for the succeeding month.

➢ Kathryn Jensen from the Knox/Lincoln 4-H presented a program on exploring rocks, minerals, and gems! And find out what minerals can be found in your backyard.

➢ Patty King attended a City Safety Committee meeting, participated in the radio show Love My Library on WRFR, and met with one new library volunteer, who will be covering hardcover books. Patty also met with Emily Jeffries of the Good Tern Co-op to plan our upcoming collaborative "Waste Reduction" Week.

➢ More than 80 people attended the Lawn Concert: Mes Amis, an infectious mix of traditional Gypsy, Latin, and American jazz for all ages. Led by guitarist, vocalist and composer Steve Lynnworth - and featuring Shane Ellis on clarinet and saxophone, Harry Richter on rhythm guitar and Wells Gordon on upright bass. One audience member played along on "air guitar," and "air bass."

➢ Other Thursday evening Community Events programming curated and hosted by Patty, included the screening of the documentary, Still Tomorrow. A village woman with no high school diploma becomes China's most famous poet, and her book of poetry the best-selling such volume in China in the past 20 years. The film weaves her personal narrative with that of an ascendant, urbanizing China, and presented as a collaboration with POV, PBS' award-winning nonfiction film series. Patty was the presenter for a Checkout Movement... series event, where she shared the wonderful world of smoothies and discussed a variety of smoothies (including green and vegan) and their benefits. Participants tasted and made their own smoothie blends and took away recipes, as well. As a follow-up, Patty ran into two different participants in the grocery store the next day, shopping for ingredients!

➢ Teresa coordinated the Books on Wheels homebound delivery service, pulling items from our library and/or requesting items from interlibrary loan for our homebound patrons, and checking out and bagging items for the Friends volunteer to pick up and deliver on Fridays. She also set up home delivery for a new patron.

➢ Katie continued hosting Baby Time on Thursday mornings. She reports that we have created a community of happy babies and guardians sharing stories. Katie also continued Rockin' Storytime, which included themes of Owls! They read silly and sweet stories and learned how to do an owl dance. Another day was kittens! Katie read another of her favorite stories and the whole group did a great job with a long, black & white book. All danced and are getting really good at freezing during the Silly Dance Contest.

➢ Katie also reports that Potterfest was phenomenal! Wizards entered the party by passing through the Platform 9 3⁄4 entrance. Inside was a photo booth, a make- your-own wand station, Potter brainteasers, Pin the Lightning Bold on Harry (a favorite), 2 crafts, and two sports. They cheered on all ages playing the sports together. Dozens of wizards helped to return the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon eggs to the Romania sanctuary in Dragon Ball. Then they tried their hands at being Chasers in Bean Bag Quidditch. Every attendee made their own unique brand of magic wand.

➢ Three Wizards Friends' members and staff presented Storytime at the Farmers' Market; thanks so much to Jim and Jeanie Schaden who put up and take down the tent each Thursday—we couldn't do this without their gracious help. Readers included Eileen Spectre and her granddaughter Maggie, Patty, and Jeanie Schaden.

➢ Our oh-so kind and talented volunteers for this period include Sarah Lawson, Pat Niedzielski, Jane Ryan, Hugh Ryrie, Brook St. Laurent, Deborah Sealey, Katie Syrett, and Chris White, and we are very grateful for their contributions.

➢ The Summer Reading Closing Party featured the Gawler Family Concert. Prizes were awarded and ice cream served after the concert. All who participated in the children's Summer Reading Program went home with a bag full of prizes. The top readers from adults, teen, & children's programs were entered into the bike raffles, for one of the 10 bikes generously donated by the Masonic Knox Lodge #189.

➢ Some of the winners of the 10 bikes donated by Knox Masonic Lodge #189

➢ Jessie hosted the Adult Summer Reading Finale--a Coffee Party with coffee/tea and snacks in the Board Room. Attendees were invited to talk about the books they read or listened to, and win more prizes!

➢ During July, the Library served 12,735 patrons and held 63 programs with a total attendance of

1202. ➢ Upcoming events include a Library Tour--Which President spoke from the Library lawn? What does the library keep in that big safe? Whose busts are watching over the Reading Room? Join librarians Patty and Jessie to learn the answers to these questions and more! Also, Astro- photographer Mike Taylor, Co-sponsored with Bartlett Woods.

 

OFFICE OF THE FIRE/EMS CHIEF

Over this preceding week, in addition to the response to 197 Fire and EMS calls, conducting apparatus checks, daily cleaning, routine repairs and maintenance to the fleet and of the quarters, the following occurred:

• Training provided over the last month:

➢ EMS training on Cyanokits and our new med swap procedures at PenBay Medical Center. We are working with the hospital to find common ground on a new policy for medication exchanges.

➢ Fire training was wrapped up with Foam applications and we began a "Know Your City" program. FF Shook has coordinated building tours, downtown pre-plans, and streets/hydrant reviews for our members.

• Notable Meetings attended by Management staff:

➢ Chief Whytock attended the following meetings:

1. Emergency Plans meeting with RSU 13 and public safety staff 2. Code/Informational meeting with Region 8 Staff 3. Safety Meeting at City Hall 4. Local Emergency Planning Committee 5. Various other safety/planning meetings

• Special Events /News

➢ Professional Vehicle Corporation has been awarded the bid for a new ambulance. R-2 is a 2009 Ford chassis which will be replaced with a 2019 Ford F-450. We have been very happy with our Dodge chassis rescues but received word a few months ago that Dodge will be scaling back its production and have made it almost impossible to line up a new rig.

➢ A bid opening for our new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus was held and we came in well under budget. The funds come from our successful FEMA grant along with a 5% City match.

➢ Rockland is now a part of Wardens Report, which allows citizens to obtain a burn permit FOR FREE online www.wardensreport.com . The system is designed to only issue permits on days where the fire class day is below the allowable threshold. You will still be able to come to the station and get a hand written copy for free as well. Both permits clearly state what can and can't be burned and when you are allowed to burn. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to call and speak to the duty officer at the fire station.

• Notable Calls Responded To: (Although our job affords us the opportunity to do amazing things (most of which we can't talk about), these calls have made headlines.

➢ RFD responded to a report of a building fire to a local restaurant downtown. First due companies found recently laundered towns had been dried and folded tightly against one another and the subsequent heat build-up caused them to ignite and begin to burn within the building. The grease within the towels is what helped fuel the combustion process. Thankfully there was very minor damage within the laundry room and the business was back open the next morning.

➢ A-shift responded to a boat fire on Mechanic Street. Crews found that the large bumpers between the dock and the boats hull. About 400 gallons of water was used to extinguish the blaze with no extension into the boat.

• Safety Note:

➢ We have seen a few instances where the fire alarm panels in buildings are being accessed by residents or workers and alarms are being silenced or reset prior to our arrival. This is actually against Fire Code and City Ordinance. No alarm can be silenced, reset, or tampered with WITHOUT permission of the Fire Chief. Please keep this in mind.

➢ If you are having issues with a smoke or Carbon Monoxide detector, feel free to call us and we can assist you. Don't remove a detector and not replace it with a functional one.

 

OFFICE OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY DIRECTOR

➢ Scheduled SIU yearly inspections.

➢ Continued investigation to determine the source of debris and rags being flushed down the sewer and causing pump problems at the Industrial Park pump station.

➢ A consulting engineer hired by the insurance company visited the treatment plant to inspect the damaged secondary clarifier.

➢ Two employees visited treatment plants in Falmouth and Portland to view different types of

clarifier technology that might work better at the Rockland treatment plant.

➢ Continued working with Wright-Pierce Engineering on planning and design of upgrade projects to be done at the treatment plant and in the collection system with funding from the approved sewer bond.

➢ The lab has been conducting sampling and testing of the water in the vicinity of the Beach at Chickawaukee Lake since cases of swimmers itch were reported earlier in the summer.

➢ Employees from this department and students from Oceanside High School Marched in the Lobster Festival Parade with a float they built to represent the department and the city.

➢ Made arrangements to accept septic waste from the navy vessel that was visiting Rockland during the Lobster Festival.

➢ Worked with programmers from Woodard and Curran to troubleshoot and correct a problem with the control programming for the aeration blowers.

➢ The South Main St. Stormwater separation project was advertised for bids on August 14.

➢ The dry weather this summer is causing extremely low flow through the treatment plant. To maintain proper treatment one primary clarifier and one aeration basin have been temporarily taken off line.

➢ Responded to numerous Dig-Safe requests from other utilities and contractors.

➢ Inspected sewer service lateral repairs and replacements done by various contractors.

➢ Cleaned sewer mains on Lovejoy, Valley View and Sweetland streets.

➢ Did weekly inspection and testing of the ten pump stations.

➢ Performed preventative maintenance on various pieces of equipment throughout the treatment plant.

➢ Continued summertime grounds keeping and maintenance around the treatment plant and pump stations.

 

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

➢ $830,000 grant award from US EDA for Rockland Fish Pier Redevelopment. We have secured the balance of funding needed for Rockland Fish Pier Development. Thanks to the Harbormaster for his help with the application. ➢ $210,000 grant award - CDBG. Our CDBG grant application on behalf of Bixby & Co. to help with expansion of their operations was successful.

➢ CDBG. Attended a mandatory 2-day training for Community Development Block Grant administrator certification.

➢ Committee support. The Musson Group has been retained to assist the Harbor Plan Committee with its work.

➢ Business assistance and outreach (Jul 9-Aug 13 ). This month's proactive outreach included lunch with a representative of DST Systems, and conversations with two retailers and one restaurant which may be good fits with Main Street over time.

➢ Also assisted businesses and residents with a variety of questions, requests and concerns:

12 existing businesses assisted

3 potential businesses assisted

5 residents assisted

➢ Growth challenged by lack of available land. One observation from business assistance and outreach over the past several months is that the lack of land available for commercial or light industrial growth and expansion is a risk. There are existing businesses who want to expand and have nowhere to go, and potential businesses who tell us they can't find suitable locations. With that in mind, if the City wishes to expand its tax base, it may be desirable to consider whether there are opportunities for additional land to be included in commercial or business park zones.

 

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR

➢ Work continues on the Transfer Station Building Upgrade Project. One of the existing compactors was pulled out of the Transfer Building, sandblasted, repainted and will be placed back inside the building once the concrete work is completed.

➢ Prep and drainage work for the Limerock Street Rehab project was done by the Public Services crew from Old County to Ulmer.

➢ All States Asphalt began their prep work for the Limerock Street Rehab Project and the pavement reclaiming on Aug. 7th. The first stages of paving will begin on Aug. 16th.

➢ The Bid Opening for the Annual Paving Contract was held on July 24th and there were five bidders. The bid was awarded to Performance Paving of Owls Head.

➢ The bridge on Thompson Meadow Road replacement is almost ready to go out to bid. The goal is to have the project done prior to the end of this construction season. The City secured a grant from DEP to assist with a portion of the cost.

➢ Attended DEP meeting in Augusta regarding the Landfill Closure on Aug. 2nd

. ➢ Preparations and clean-up for the Maine Lobster Festival.

➢ Preparations and clean-up for the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbor Show.

➢ The bi-annual application and supporting documents were sent to the Maine DEP for reimbursement of Landfill Closure Costs incurred during the first half of 2018.

➢ MDOT LRAP eligibility documents completed.

➢ Ditching is being done on the Bog Road.

➢ Sports Fields, Inc. of Monmouth replaced the bases and landscaped the playing field at Jaycee Field on Old County Road.

➢ Preparation for planting of donated trees.

➢ Work continued on the Atlantic Street Sidewalk. Two sections have been poured and stamped.

➢ Attended FEMA reimbursement meeting on July 20th.

➢ Attended the Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting.

➢ Weekly sample collections for Maine Healthy Beaches water testing.

➢ Continued repairs and maintenance at the Library and City Hall.

➢ Fence repair was done at Mildred Merrill Park.

➢ Replacing and placing new signs throughout the City.

➢ Weeding was done along curbs and sidewalks.

➢ Overnight crosswalk and stop bar painting is ongoing throughout the City.

➢ Ongoing cold patch is being done City wide.

➢ Ongoing City wide street sweeping

➢ Ongoing City wide trash removal

➢ Ongoing City wide basin cleaning

➢ Sewer report for the month of July was sent out.

 

OFFICE OF THE HARBORMASTER

➢ The City of Rockland was recently awarded the last grant we applied for to rehabilitate the fish pier. Total project funding is just over $1.6M. Target construction start date is fall of 2019 to finish spring of 2020.

➢ All festivals have come and gone, the Public Landing is open for all!

➢ If you are late with annual mooring permit payments, please contact the Harbormaster.

➢ We have a new Harbormaster Facebook page, we are trying to update as things come up to keep people informed.

➢ New Cruise Ship guidelines are in effect for any cruise ships that make new reservations as of 14 Aug 2018.